PBS Kids Play! (www.pbskidsplay.org)

Review excerpt: This year’s edition is based entirely in Flash, so no downloads or installations are needed. All you need is a Mac or Windows computer and a speedy web connection.There’s also a new three room menu that puts all the content within a click, making it much easier for a young child to get out of whatever he or she gets into. Unlike Nick’s www.mynoggin.com or Disney’s www.preschooltime.com, no credit card commitment is needed. You get 15 days free — no strings or codes; a practice that is refreshing and respectful of busy parents. That also makes it easy to have a look for yourself, which we recommend. Note that there’s a new $500/year classroom edition option that makes it possible to track the progress for an entire classroom of kids, for up to a year, for either home or classroom access (each child gets his or her own login). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.

One Response to "PBS Kids Play! (www.pbskidsplay.org)"

When I visited the library with my almost 3-yr-old grandson he was drawn to the computer stations in the children’s area. He took a seat, put on the headphones and tried to get the game going. It was a PBS Kids game, but I have not figured out which one. It had some fish on the screen and a hermit crab that hid into its shell when the arrow was clicked on it..

Clearly all that appeals to kids, but I think it harms the child’s PROPER brain development which needs lots of tactile, hands-on activities first and foremost, and in those early childhood years, EXCLUSIVELY.

So, seeing how kids are bombarded and subjected to electronic and digital screen time by good meaning but misguided adults, made me want to cry! Especially when I noticed in the bottom left corner the Mr. Rogers logo!

I have no doubt that he would have been as appalled as I am about subjecting young kids to technology.

Experts are quite rightfully very cautious about the use of technology by young children. A report by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Alliance for Childhood state that

“..whether you believe that early childhood settings should include screen time or not, there is enough evidence to draw these conclusions: Many young children are spending too much time with screens at the expense of other important activities.

There’s no evidence that screen time is educational for infants and toddlers, and there is some evidence that it may be harmful. Some carefully monitored experience with quality content can benefit children over three.

But what’s most important for children is lots of time for hands-on creative and active play, time in nature, and face-to-face interactions with caring adults. And, regardless of content, excessive screen time harms healthy growth and development.”